The unemployment website says average wait time is 12 minutes LMAOOOOO what a joke. I've never waited less than an hour and that's IF I can even get in the queue. Who comes up with these fake stats?

I feel your pain - went through this exact nightmare last year. After 6 weeks of getting nowhere with the regular phone line, I finally got connected using a callback service called Claimyr. They handle all the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they reach an actual human. Cost me like $20 but saved literally weeks of my life sitting on hold. Got my whole claim sorted in one 15-minute call once I had an agent. The NY system is completely broken - they know people will give up if it's hard enough. Don't let them win, your benefits are money YOU paid into the system!

update us if u fix it! i bet its the address thing

UPDATE: I got it fixed!!! It WAS the address mismatch between my license and unemployment account. I contacted ID.me support directly like @HelpfulCareerPro suggested and they told me exactly what was wrong. Had to upload additional proof of address (utility bill) but finally got verified! Already completed my recertification for this week. Thank you everyone for your help!!!

I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about a similar situation. If you need to speak with someone directly about your specific circumstances, I found claimyr.com really helpful. They have a service that connects you with actual agents and there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that explains how it works. Sometimes these situations have nuances that only an agent can clarify.

The whole system is frustrating when you're in a bind like this. Have you considered talking to your employer about whether they could treat this as a temporary layoff instead of FMLA? Some companies are flexible if they understand your financial situation.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you apply as soon as possible after your job ends! There's a one-week waiting period before you can start receiving benefits, so the sooner you file, the sooner that clock starts ticking. Also, your benefit amount is based on wages from your "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. Since you worked full-time for 2 years at $52k, you should have a solid earnings history. I'd estimate you'll probably get somewhere in the $380-420 range per week based on what others have shared about similar salary levels.

One more thing to keep in mind - if you're denied benefits initially, don't give up! You have the right to appeal the decision. I had a friend who got denied at first because there was some confusion about why she left her job, but she appealed with additional documentation and got approved. The appeals process can take a while though, so definitely try to get everything right the first time. Also, make sure you keep attending any required reemployment workshops - skipping those can affect your benefits too. Good luck with your claim!

yeah file asap dude, no point in waiting around

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my position was eliminated due to company restructuring. Like everyone else said, there's no official deadline but you definitely want to file ASAP. What really helped me was having all my documents ready - W2s, pay stubs, and the exact dates of employment. The online system at labor.ny.gov is pretty straightforward but make sure you have your SSN and employer info handy. Also heads up - your first payment might take 2-3 weeks to come through even after you file, so don't panic if it's not immediate. You got this!